Laser vision correction surgery includes a number of surgical procedures that are performed with the aim of decreasing or eliminating the use of corrective glasses and lenses. These types of surgery are performed to alter the curvature of the cornea, the clear covering of the eyeball, so that it assists in controlling how light enters and focuses on the retina. For many, laser vision correction has helped in popularity which has been reliable with the intention of long-term relief from contacts and glasses. For patients who wish to have laser vision correction in Manhattan, the area is ideal and adds value as the technology and professionals are both strong and reliable.
Let’s get into some details about the most common procedures of laser vision correction surgery: LASIK, PRK, LASEK, SMILE. In every intervention, there are specific advantages, disadvantages and specific including caution features which emphasise the need for patient education on the options that they have at hand so as to select the most suitable one.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
How it works: Another commonly performed type of laser vision correction is LASIK, which is probably the most well-known laser correction technique. On the day of surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in the cornea, which is then raised to reveal the tissue underneath. Then, a laser is used to change the tissue shape of the cornea to fix any vision problems, after which, the flap is put back to its original position to heal naturally.
Advantages:
– Quick recovery: One of the fastest recoveries thanks to LASIK procedures is within a few hours, and normal activities can be resumed in just a couple of days.
– High success rate: LASIK procedures have consistently proven successful, with an encouraging number of patients restoring vision to at least 20/25 or better.
Disadvantages:
– Not suitable for everyone: LASIK, on the other hand, may not be appropriate for individuals with thin corneas, or some other ocular diseases.
– Risk of flap complications: Risks include infection or displacement of the flap, although they are quite uncommon.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
How it works: One of the obvious advantages of PRK over LASIK is that it does not involve creating a flap on the cornea. Instead, the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is eliminated, and then the lasering is done on the deeper corneal layers. This layer of epithelium, over time, undergoes its natural growth to restore in several days.
Advantages:
– Appropriate solution for thin corneas: In cases when the corneas are much too thin for LASIK, PRK is a great choice for such patients.
– Absence of flap-related complications: Since there is no flap made in the cornea, the possibility of flap complications is non-existent in PRK.
Disadvantages:
– Extended healing time: In comparison to LASIK, the recovery from PRK is longer, which sometimes involves full recovery for several weeks. More discomfort may be experienced by patients initially undergoing the procedure, as more time is likely to be spent in the healing phase.
– Transient visual problems: The stabilization of vision after the surgery is complete will take anywhere from a few days to weeks.
LASEK (Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy)
How it works: LASEK is quite similar to PRK; however, it incorporates an alcohol solution to soak the epithelial layer of the cornea which is then scratched off before the laser reshapes the cornea. The epithelium is then allowed to heal and is repositioned after surgery.
Advantages:
– Suitable for patients with thin corneas: As was the case with PRK, LASEK is also suitable for patients with thin corneas who otherwise may not be suitable candidates for LASIK.
– Not prone to flap-related complications like LASIK: Due to the lack of corneal flap creation, there are further lesser associated risks related to flap creation.
Disadvantages:
– Extended recovery period: Recovery is said to be prolonged due to the longer healing process from LASEK compared to LASIK, although LASEK has generally been a bit quicker than PRK.
– Pain following operation: Postoperative patients experience some level of pain during the recuperation period, e.g. the requirement to wear a protective contact lens for some time during the healing process.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
Working: SMILE is a more recent laser-assisted procedure that is minimally invasive. SMILE employs a laser to first generate a small, round-shaped segment of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea and then, through a limited incision, extracts the lenticule. Unlike LASIK and PRK, no flap is created.
Benefits:
– Minimally invasive: In comparison to LASIK, SMILE is less invasive because only a minor incision is necessary, and no flap is created. This can lower the risk of complications related to flap healing.
– Less time to recover and less pain later on: SMILE has been well accepted in the patient population, wherein most patients experience less pain following the procedure compared to LASIK.
– Excellent long-term visual outcomes: Research has indicated that postoperative complications using the SMILE technique yielded good results over a long period.
Drawbacks:
– Not all refractive errors are suitable for this procedure: SMILE is presently indicated for the correction of a limited range of refractive errors (short-sightedness and astigmatism) and currently does not accommodate those patients who are long-sighted.
– Perioperative time is longer: Although the recovery duration is relatively short, the total procedure time exceeds that of LASIK.
Factors Influencing the Choice of Procedure
There are considerations and factors to be taken into account when choosing a procedure to correct vision using the laser.
– Corneal width: Patients who have thin corneas are deemed unsuitable for LASIK treatment, therefore PRK, LASEK, or the use of SMILE techniques might be preferable.
– Age: Children under the age of 18 are advised to wait to undergo these procedures, as vision is still developing. Additionally, those aged forty and older should consider the aspect of presbyopia, i.e. limitations of vision due to aging coupled with the need for reading glasses.
– Occupation: High levels of activities associated with physical contact sports or professional occupations that predispose one to eye trauma may prefer PRK or SMILE instead of cutting a flap during the LASIK procedure.
– Type of refractive errors and their severity: These parameters are important as certain procedures are more effective for specific types of refractive errors than others.
Recovery Times and potential risks
The time taken to recover fully after a procedure is likely to depend on:
– LASIK: This has a fast recovery period, and within a couple of hours after the surgery, patients are likely to notice improvement in their eyesight.
– PRK: In the vast majority of patients, maximum recovery time is about a week, during which new cells would heal the spot while the eye is inflamed and vision will be watery.
– LASEK: Similar recovery time as PRK, which means at least several days and often several weeks.
– SMILE: There’s no pain, and most people can get back on their feet fairly quickly.
Like any surgical procedure, some complications may arise, such as infection, dry eye, glare, or insufficient or excessive correction. However, such risks are usually very minimal when the procedure is performed by a qualified eye surgeon.
Conclusion
Laser vision correction has created a paradigm shift in the management of refractive vision problems. Each procedure has its own advantages; LASIK is quick due to the short recovery time, while SMILE is more advantageous as it is less invasive. Which option would work best for you will depend on your particular eye health, lifestyle, and vision requirements. With that being said, it is important to consult with an ophthalmologist in order to determine which procedure would best suit the patient in question and which would provide the safest and most effective means of enhancing vision. If you are considering laser vision correction in Manhattan, you will be able to make the right choice after discussing your situation with a competent ophthalmologist.